October 19, 2005—Several facilities have been recognized recently by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program for their outstanding health and safety records. Among those highlighted by OSHA are:
- BlueLinx Corporation received a Star for its excellence in effective safety and health management at its Kansas City, Mo., distribution center.
- The Presbyterian Home for Central New York in New Hartford received a Merit award for its safety and health management plan in reducing the potential for violence from residents against staff. The plan includes pre-admission assessment and evaluation of residents; ongoing evaluation of communication, staff education and training; evaluation of residents’ behaviors, interventions and care planning; coping strategies to minimize incidents; and post-incident follow up.
- Parsons Technology Development and Fabrication Complex (PTDFC) in Pasco, Washington, earned a Star for its sustained excellence in all areas of safety and health management. The complex’s accident rates are 89% below the national average for its industry. An innovative internal best practices program was recently developed to help project managers implement and administrate the Parsons safety and risk process, substantially reducing accident rates and costs.
The VPP is an employee-driven, management-led commitment to safety and health aimed at reducing accident rates and maintaining high standards of safety performance. The members represent a select group of facilities that have designed and implemented outstanding safety and health programs that stand well beyond minimum OSHA requirements.
